Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-05-05
THE NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON LETTER.
IFrom our regular correspondent. ]
wAsnINaToN, April 25th, 1887.

WASHINGTON, April 25th, 1887.
What the President is reported to
have said to Western Senator (Mr.
Vest, of Missouri,) has been the chief
topic of conNersation here for the past
two days, and has for the moment fixed
public attention on the question of a
denomination and reelection in 1888.
Whatever the President may have said
to the senator from Missouri, whether
he said anything or not, what Mr..
Vest said on the subject, and what
either of them meant or intended by
their alleged utterances will continue
to be source of comment and discus
sion until the nomination of '8S is a
thing of the past.
1t was dull time and the publica-
tion that the President would not ac-
cept denomination was startling, and
naturally produced q slight sensation,
or at least subject of common talk.
Everybody had something to say
about it, but everybody with expert
ence enough to know how these things
are done, and to be able to distinguish
between the probable and the impossi-
BILE, said practically what Senator Vest
and Col. Lamont have since stated,
namely, that they do not believe that
Mr.. Cleveland is working fora second
term, or that he has any great desire
for one but that he will probably wait
until he is asked before he either ac-
cepts or declines, and that the time for
discussing the matter has not yet ar
rived.
Senator Vests explanation of the
matter is tina: he was not correctly
quoted, but he thinks this great news
paper oak must have sprung from q
little acorn which he dropped in con-
versation with some friends at Cham
berlains few days ago. These friends
were opposed to Mr.. Clevela nd and de-
clared that he was working for re-
nomination, while they mentioned
several acts of his as proof of the accu-
sation. Mr.. Vest remembers that he
demurred very positively, and replied
that he knew that President Cleveland
did not want a second term, that he
was working for the purpose of leaving
the government in such q shape that
any good Democrat could be elected.
He thinks too, that he added, by way
of strengthening his authority, that
the President told him so himself.
Public attention is now concentrat-
ing upon the National Drill which takes
place here next month. Fortunately
the city will be out in all her vernal
glory in the month of May. The foli-
age of 70, 900 trees will shade her long,
broad, smooth streets. The parks, cir
cles, triangles and other open spaces
will be in full bloom of flowers and
varigated shrubbery. No city in
America can compare with Washing
ton and its Surroundings in the
month of May, and 1t is then that its
architectural grandeur is seen to the
best advantage. The city presents the
spectacle Of O magnificent National
Park interspersed with vast public
buildings, monuments, statuary and
handsome private residences, all bor-
dered by the placid Potomac.
And Washington is to be merry in
other ways during the month of flow
ers, as the following calendar of events
will show. The races will take place in
May; Patti will sing in May; Fore
paugh's circus will come; the National
Association of Hotel PrOprietors will
Of the Cumberland and the unveiling
of the Garfield statue will occur; some
other reunions are to take place, and
last but most important the grand en-
campment of citizen soldiery which
will commence on the 23rd. of May and
close on the 30th., Decoration Day."
Preparations for the drill are going
briskly forward. The grounds around
the Washington Monument, on which
the city of tents will be spread, is being
put in condition for the camp, and the
level ellipse, halfa a mile in circumfer-
ence, where the drill will be held, is
being surrounded by a grand stand for
spectators. This ground lies between
the monument and the White House,
and Is known as the white Lot"
Here theinfantry, cavalry, artillery and
Zouave tactics will be tested daily, and
each evening there will be grand bri-
gade dress parade, while on Governors
Day will be the great parade. The
Chief Executives of large number of
States will then review with the Presi-
dent all of the troops in procession.
About a hundred organizations,
fromthe various States, will take part
in the contest, and the indications are
that there will be an immense con-
course of visitors from all parts of the
country to witness the novel event.
There will be distributed $26, 500 in
cash prizes, besides other prizes, such
as gold, silver and bronze medals,
special medals, plate trophies and
stands of colors.